I’ve been thinking about this for a while and had to blog about it. Why the hell, when we become “adults,” does time seem to fly? And as that time flies, we realize we haven’t spent enough moments with some of our favorite people, because we just couldn’t fit it in.

It’s always embarrassing to run into an old friend or colleague and quickly realize it’s been (insert time length here) that you’ve seen them. Especially when it’s years. YEARS?! How could years go by, and you never found the time to get together.

You hug, you chat, you laugh, you remember immediately why you love/not so much love this person and then… there’s the obligatory, usually open-ended, “let’s get together sometime.”

One reason we say this is just as a cop-out. A way to end the conversation, a way to get away, yada, yada, see you later. We know we have no intention, and doubt they do either, of actually getting in touch.

On the other hand, even if both parties really do mean it, and they genuinely would like to catch up, it still usually falls by the wayside until the next chance meeting.

Why? Because no one takes the lead. No one actually checks their schedule to see if they can make something work. No one sends a text, an email, a Facebook message, a Tweet… Lord knows we have ways of getting in touch. Why is this? Is it because we aren’t sure if the other person really meant it? Is it because we really are super busy? I don’t think anyone is THAT busy. There’s always time if you make it.

I know I myself am a culprit of this. I guess life is already so full of to do’s and you can barely find time to get together with family and close friends, that adding more people in, almost becomes a chore. Sometimes I just want to relax, sit on my couch, watch a movie. But you know what, when you DO make the effort, when you DO make the plan, it’s always awesome, and you wonder how the heck you went this long without seeing that person, because they really do make life a little sweeter.

I recently spent a few hours at a kid’s birthday party with two of my best friends I used to work with in my late teenage years, and we had a blast catching up. We made temporary plans for the summer when we are all in town again, and made the overall plan to definitely do better when it comes to updating one another. At least a monthly email, or a text to say hello. I will be doing this and I know they will, too. Because we made a plan. That’s all it takes. A little effort goes a long way.

We come across so many people in our lives, some that are amazing friends to us, even if the relationship is short-lived due to circumstance, but reconnecting with those people is very worth it. And if you really are the true friends you thought you were, time apart will mean nothing. You’ll pick up right where you left off.

So the next time you see someone, don’t just say you want to get together, make a plan. Do it right there and then. Family, friends, and moments make for a fantastic life. Now get to living one! You can binge watch Dexter on your DVR anytime. (thanks Meesh for that ending comment.)